Several days later, on November 3, Hariri was nominated to form Lebanon's next government, but the process was seen as likely to be hampered by deep differences with the Hezbollah movement.

The 46-year-old Hariri, who has already once served as Lebanese prime minister, is anti-Syria and a fierce opponent of Hezbollah, which backs the government of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria and is actively involved in the fighting there.

Hariri is the son of former prime minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005, an act blamed on Hezbollah.

But he was forced to throw his support behind Aoun, their candidate for the presidency, in order to secure his return to power as premier, noted AFP.

Hariri's government will have two ministers from Hezbollah.

Lebanon is due to hold parliamentary elections in May 2017, the first legislative vote in eight years.

The current parliament -- elected in 2009 -- has extended its own mandate twice amid fierce disagreements over revamping Lebanon's electoral law.

"The government will also work on the preparation of a new electoral law," Hariri said on Sunday.